{UAH} Tonsemberera can be stigmatic

Whereas we appreciate all efforts put in by ministry of Health (MoH) and all stakeholders in the current fight and sensitization against COVID-19, I personally can't help but wonder why of all terms the ministry chose the Luganda word 'Tonsemberera' as its campaign term to sensitize Ugandans about social distancing.

As a researcher and person who knows the meaning of the term, I would say this was not the right choice of words the ministry should have used.

Any common person is aware of the heavy and negative connotation the term has and is indicative of some form of inherent violence. I wish to believe this was not the true intention of whoever authored it or the ministry.

In everyday usage, 'Tonsemberera' is a disparaging term that is often used by two disputing (likely aggressively) parties and I am really concerned what kind of stigma it amplifies against recovered COVID-19 victims.

The hostility of the term is clearly displayed by the TV message where the minister appears to raise her hand (like a traffic officer who stops a vehicle) so as to drive the point home.

I understand given the urgency, the times we are living in and the limited resources, the ministry did not conduct meaningful research to assess which is the most appropriate term to use, without unnecessarily promoting violence and affecting the dignity of the population.

Instead of 'Tonsemberera', that typically sounds rude, I would perhaps recommend a better but more polite term like ' [Ssebo/ Nyabo] Semberako wali.' etc.

John Kavuma,

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"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"

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